Destinations

We set out to get under the skin of the 130 destinations that we visit, from Egypt to Jamaica and from Bolivia to Japan. Combining the must-sees with the who-knews, we provide authentic travel experiences across the globe.

Destinations

Africa

Discover the vast, diverse continent that is Africa. Navigate through aromatic medinas, drive across stretching golden plains in search of the Big Five and discover tribal cultures. We challenge you not to fall in love.

Asia

Asia offers a heady mix of diverse traditions, religions, cuisine and architecture. Iconic monuments from the Great Wall of China to the Taj Mahal, and scenery from Indonesian rice paddies to the staggering Himalaya, give a flavour of its variety.

Australasia

Australasia is a region of vibrant colour, staggering landscapes and contrasting cultures. Compact yet varied, New Zealand is all about the great outdoors. It's best explored on foot, where you'll cover lakes and mountains, coasts and glaciers.

Europe

From the windswept Atlantic coast to the vast taiga forests in the east, and from the polar tundra to the sun-kissed Mediterranean, Europe's variety is second to none. The diversity of its cuisine, culture and climate mirrors that of its landscape.

Middle East

The Middle East is a heady concoction of welcoming people, ancient sites, stunning desert scenery and delicious food. Uncover history that spans millenia in colossal archaeological sites and sleep under starlit skies in the Arabian desert.

North America

North America is home to dynamic cities, rich cultural diversity and inspiring National Parks. From the canyons and deserts of the USA to Canada's Rocky Mountains and Alaska's wildlife, North America's charms are hard to resist.

Central America

The thin strip of land connecting North and South America contains eight countries packed with fascinating Mayan history, colourful modern cultures and pristine beaches. Here the rainforests, cloud forests and barrier reef bustle with biodiversity.

Caribbean

Fields of sugar cane, rum distilleries, freshly-cooked fish and jerk chicken and a laid-back attitude to life - there's lots to love about Caribbean holidays. And that's without even mentioning the glittering azure waters and miles of sandy beaches.

South America

South America is a continent of superlatives. Explore the world's largest rainforest and marvel at its highest waterfall. Walk its longest mountain range and discover its highest capital city. All washed down with hearty food and world-class wines.

Experiences

Adventure doesn't have to take you out of your comfort zone; from activities like zip-wiring in Costa Rica, to tasting local dishes in Italy and staying with local families in Peru, there's a little adventure to be found on all our travels.

Experiences

Worldwide Adventures

Our discovery tours take in ancient and contemporary cultures, inspiring landscapes, iconic sites and hidden gems. Visit remote tribes in India's Nagaland, live the nomadic life in desert camps or stay with local families in the Mekong Delta.

Wildlife Tours

Come face-to-face with mountain gorillas in Uganda, search for rhino in Swaziland or swim with sea lions in the Galapagos. We've put together 100 wildlife trips across all seven continents, from long weekends in Finland to epic Polar expeditions.

Why book this trip?

Why not extend your trip to Sri Lanka with three nights on the palm-fringed beaches of Unawatuna? With turquoise waters, fine white sands and plenty of beachside restaurants there is nowhere better to relax after exploring the island. The hotel is right on the beach and has two swimming pools as well as a variety of activities including yoga classes, kayaking and paddle boarding.

Included meals

Breakfast: 4

Trip staff

None

Transport

None

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Accommodation

3 nights standard hotel

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Trip pace:

Relaxed

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Unawatuna Beach Extension

Itinerary

Itineraries on some departure dates may differ, please select the itinerary that you wish to explore.

Today you will transfer to your hotel, right on the fabulous Unawatuna Beach. There are excellent facilities including two swimming pools, free wifi, beach volleyball and yoga classes. The resort of Unawatuna, based around the palm-fringed crescent-shaped beach, has a selection of restaurants and bars offering numerous opportunities for relaxing evenings.

If you are joining from a trip already in Unawatuna, you can simply remain in the hotel instead of returning to Colombo for the last night.

Please note: Any activities mentioned below are booked and paid for directly with the hotel or other local suppliers and do not form part of your Explore holiday contract.

Accommodation:

Calamander Unawatuna Beach Resort (or similar)

Grade:
Standard Hotel

Single room available

Swimming pool available

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Day 2 - Day at leisure to enjoy the beach or explore the local area

You are free to relax today, with no planned activities, but if you want to get out and explore it is easy to do so. The colonial town of Galle, an important trading centre since ancient times, is under 4 km away. The fortifications that remain were built by the Portuguese and Dutch from the 16th to the 17th centuries. The ramparts of this UNESCO World Heritage Site protect the harbour and a myriad of fascinating old houses, churches and warehouses. Today the town is a magnet for artists, writers, photographers, designers and poets who draw inspiration from their surroundings. Boutique shops and cafes around the town showcase their work. Also worth checking out is the Galle's Dutch Market with numerous stalls of colourful fruits, vegetables and salted fish, all crammed inside the grand 300 year old colonial building.

Aside from Unawatuna Beach, there are several other beaches nearby such as the secluded Jungle Beach, reached by a 25 minute walk or a short tuk-tuk ride. The beach has a couple of sandy coves and is particularly good for swimming and snorkelling.

Alternatively, a journey of around 18km inland will take you to the Hiyare Forest Reserve with 600 acres of pristine rain forest which attracts a huge variety of birds. The Sri Lankan green pigeon, Ceylon rose, two-spotted thread tail and black ruby barb call the area home, as well as forest animals such as mongoose, the purple-faced leaf monkey and the rare hog deer. The reserve also takes in injured animals, cares for and rehabilitates them before releasing them back in to the wild.

Accommodation:

Calamander Unawatuna Beach Resort (or similar)

Grade:
Standard Hotel

Single room available

Swimming pool available

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Day 3 - Free day to enjoy Unawatuna Beach and the surrounding area

After a day relaxing on the beach, snorkelling in the sea or exploring the nearby area, there are plenty of beach side bars and restaurants for the perfect end to your day. Fresh sea food is on almost every menu, and there are many Sri Lankan dishes for you to try. Often spicy and always aromatic, they burst with a mixture of exotic flavours. Ambul Thiyal is possibly the closest thing to a national dish - a unique sour and spicy fish preparation with a thick paste made of Goraka, a fruit also known as Malabar tamarind.

Accommodation:

Calamander Unawatuna Beach Resort (or similar)

Grade:
Standard Hotel

Single room available

Swimming pool available

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Day 4 - Return to Colombo Airport by rail and road

Today you will be transferred to nearby Galle Railway Station to take a morning train to Colombo Maradana station, rubbing shoulders with the locals as you travel. The train journey is around two hours and follows the scenic coastal route through countryside and right along the shore before entering into the city of Colombo. Once at your final stop you will be met off the train and taken to the airport by car for your return flight.

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Trip information

Country information

Sri Lanka

Climate

Year round high temperatures in coastal regions: Colombo averages 27°C. It is much cooler in the hills with Kandy averaging 20°C and Nuwara Eliya down to 16°C. Springlike temperatures in the hill country, but chilly evenings. Two monsoon periods: Apr-Sep when rain is confined to the southwest; and Oct-Mar when it falls in the northeast.

Time difference to GMT

+6

Plugs

3 Pin Round

Religion

Buddhism

Language

Sinhala, Tamil

Budgeting and packing

Clothing

Only lightweight clothing and swimwear is needed.

Footwear

Lightweight shoes and sandals.

Luggage

20kg

Sri Lanka

Food and drink

The costs for meals may vary depending upon location, type of restaurant and number of courses eaten and so the prices given are an average guide. Local restaurants located off the beaten track may be less expensive, whereas an upmarket restaurant located in the centre of a major city may charge more.

Lunch price

£6.00

Dinner price

£9.00

Beer price

£3.50

Water price

£1.00

Foreign Exchange

Local currency

Sri Lankan Rupee.

Recommended Currency For Exchange

US$ and UK£ are equally good

Where To Exchange

In most major towns.

ATM Availability

Yes, usually in major towns.

Credit Card Acceptance

Credit cards can usually be used in most large shops and restaurants. Please note that Foreign Office advice warns about the problem of credit card fraud in Sri Lanka so please consider this when deciding if to pay by card while on tour.

Travellers Cheques

Are not easy to change and where they can be changed the exchange rates can be poor.

Transport, Accommodation & Meals

Accommodation notes

The Calamander Unawatuna Beach is a comfortable hotel located right on the beach. It features two swimming pools, a gym and yoga classes, as well as boules and croquet. Water activities include kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkeling, diving, and whale and dolphin watching. Beach cricket matches are held regularly and beach volleyball is also arranged. All the rooms are en suite and have partial sea view, garden view, or a mountain view, and come with a balcony or terrace.

Under 18 immigration guidance

Please note that some countries require proof of parental consent when travelling overseas with under 18s. Please check requirements with the relevant embassy or consular office well in advance of travel if this applies to your party.

Price Guarantee

Once your booking has been confirmed we guarantee the price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. Before booking please ensure you have read our important tour pricing information.Booking Conditions

Visa and Passport Information

Sri Lanka: All foreign nationals who intend to visit Sri Lanka for a short stay of up to six months, including transit passengers, must apply for travel authorization online prior to travel to the country. To obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) you must visit http://www.eta.gov.lk to apply for it prior to travel. It is strongly recommended that you print and bring a copy of the ETA approval notice with you. The Sri Lankan authorities require that your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after departure from Sri Lanka.

If you do require assistance in obtaining a visa then you may consider applying through Explore's recommended visa service in the UK, Travcour. See www.travcour.com to download the relevant visa application for your trip, if applicable (UK citizens only), along with details of how to apply for your visa through Travcour. The Team at Travcour will be happy to answer specific questions relating to visa applications, please call them directly on 0208 5431846.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, with the correct validity for your chosen destination.

Booking conditions

Transfers

Booking a land only package with Explore

Customers who have chosen to book on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements of our tour, please ensure that you have checked your tour specific ‘Joining Instructions’ prior to booking your own travel arrangements. Your joining instructions can be found below in the dates and prices information.

Joining Tour Abroad

Customers booked on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements will now receive a Free Transfer, provided you arrive and depart on the tour only itinerary start and end dates. The complimentary transfers will be arranged from the Explore designated airport or train station to your trips joining point, and then back from the ending point to the designated airport or train station. Generally the airport or station that Explore have selected will be the one that is closest to the town or city where the trip starts, or the one nearest to the joining point. It will be either an airport or train station but not both.

The exception to this rule is customers who are booked on a tour where the joining and ending point is at the designated airport or train station.

Free transfers are not available for Self-Guided, Polar, Tailormade or Tours for Churches customers.

If you are not eligible for the Free Transfer then you will need to make your own way through to the joining and ending point. On a majority of our tours Explore will be able to provide a private transfer at an additional cost. Please ask for a quote at the time of booking.

Insurance

It is a condition of booking with Explore that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation to your home country. Please ensure your policy includes medical emergency helicopter evacuation in the event of illness or injury and covers the entire duration of your holiday. If you are trekking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. The cost of many of our Polar Voyages will exceed the capped amount covered by standard insurance premiums and you will be required to pay an additional premium to cover the full value of your trip. Please ensure that you are covered for the full amount of your holiday cost, as insufficient cover could invalidate a claim under the policy. Medical and repatriation insurance cover is not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling on trips within the United Kingdom.Read more information about what travel insurance is required.

Flight information

Flight Information

You are able to book this tour on a 'land only' basis or as a ‘flight inclusive’ package. Your flight inclusive package will be fully protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ATOL protection scheme.

Booking a flight inclusive package with Explore

We have a good selection of flights not only from London but from many regional airports around the UK allowing us to compare fares between scheduled carriers as well as low cost and charter airlines. Our dedicated flights team will match the best flight options to your arrival and departure airport.

On our website we display a UK flight inclusive package guide price which is generally based on a London departure. To avoid paying supplements or to secure your preferred flight option, we recommend booking as early as possible, especially for peak travel dates.

Sri Lanka

Vaccinations

Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against malaria, tetanus, typhoid, hepatitis A plus Polio and diptheria. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria. We strongly recommend the wearing long sleeved shirts and the liberal application of insect repellents containing DEET as a precautionary measure to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. These precautions should be taken at all times as the mosquitoes are also active during daylight hours. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at Explore Travel Health and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.

Dates, prices and booking

All trips are subject to availability and prices are subject to change

All customers that travel on an Explore Group or Private Journey trip will be provided with a complimentary transfer, provided they arrive and depart into the designated airport or train station on the trip start and end dates. Generally the airport or station that Explore have selected will be the one that is closest to the town or city where the trip starts, or the one nearest to the joining point. It will be either an airport or train station but not both. The exception to this rule are customers who are booked on a trip where the joining and/or ending point is the airport or station. In this particular case there will be a specific time provided for when the trip starts and ends. On these particular trips, only one arrival and departure transfer will generally be provided for the whole group. Please see
free transfers for terms and conditions.

These trip joining details are provided on a provisional basis and may change prior to this tour departing. Any changes to these details will be updated on this page.
For those not eligible for a free transfer the joining / ending time and location for your trip are detailed below:

Joining Point

Town

Unawatuna

Time and place

1:00 PM at Hote Reception

Ending Point

Town

Unawatuna

Time

9:00 AM

If you have booked a pre or post trip accommodation directly with the hotel, or through any other intermediaries, please ensure you regularly check this page in case of any changes.

Flight-inclusive price information

The price of this trip is a guide price only. The price may change due to the availability of flights and your preferred airport and airline. When you submit your booking request we will hold your place and contact you to confirm that you're happy to go ahead.

All customers that travel on an Explore Group or Private Journey trip will be provided with a complimentary transfer, provided they arrive and depart into the designated airport or train station on the trip start and end dates. Generally the airport or station that Explore have selected will be the one that is closest to the town or city where the trip starts, or the one nearest to the joining point. It will be either an airport or train station but not both. The exception to this rule are customers who are booked on a trip where the joining and/or ending point is the airport or station. In this particular case there will be a specific time provided for when the trip starts and ends. On these particular trips, only one arrival and departure transfer will generally be provided for the whole group. Please see
free transfers for terms and conditions.

These trip joining details are provided on a provisional basis and may change prior to this tour departing. Any changes to these details will be updated on this page.
For those not eligible for a free transfer the joining / ending time and location for your trip are detailed below:

Joining Point

Town

Unawatuna

Time and place

1:00 PM at Hote Reception

Ending Point

Town

Unawatuna

Time

9:00 AM

If you have booked a pre or post trip accommodation directly with the hotel, or through any other intermediaries, please ensure you regularly check this page in case of any changes.

Flight-inclusive price information

The price of this trip is a guide price only. The price may change due to the availability of flights and your preferred airport and airline. When you submit your booking request we will hold your place and contact you to confirm that you're happy to go ahead.